Getting Around Toronto

Street System
     Expressways form an inner belt around the city. Traveling east and west are the Gardiner Expressway, skirting the southern edge of the city and downtown area, and the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (Hwy. 401), in the north, as well as the 407 ETR, Ontario's first toll road, linking Burlington in the west with Pickering in the east. On the west, extending from the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway to the Gardiner Expressway, is Hwy. 427; on the east is the Don Valley Parkway.
     Toll payments for those who use the 407 ETR are not collected in the usual way at a toll booth; as you travel the expressway, a photo of your license plate is taken and a bill for the amount due is mailed to your home address. The cost depends on the type of vehicle you were driving, the distance traveled and whether a transponder was used; phone (888) 407-0407 for additional information.
     Toronto proper is laid out somewhat like New York City, in an easy-to-follow grid pattern. Yonge Street (pronounced "Young"), the major north-south artery, determines which cross streets earn the distinction of east and which are considered west. The main east-west thoroughfare is Bloor Street. Northern numbering of streets begins at the lakefront. Successful maneuvering along the city's streets may be hampered by the lack of numbered routes, which let you follow their ascending or descending order. However, Toronto streets are easy to figure out as long as you have a good map.
     Try to time your arrival for midmorning, midday or after the evening rush hour since it is easier to negotiate high-speed expressways and unfamiliar streets without excessive numbers of vehicles on the roads. Visitors may want to avoid driving in the business district during rush hour, 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
     Unless otherwise posted, the downtown speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour (30 mph) and 25 kilometres per hour (15 mph) in all parks. Right turns on red are legal unless otherwise posted. Pedestrians using designated crosswalks always have the right-of-way. Pass all streetcars on the right, except on one-way streets or when the streetcars are stopped.

Parking
     When visiting a large metropolitan city like Toronto, it's always wise not to do the driving yourself, as traffic usually and understandably moves slowly in busy downtown areas, particularly during rush hours. Finding a parking spot can be difficult, and parking in excess of 3 hours is prohibited on all roads, unless other parking prohibitions are posted. If you fail to obey these regulations, you may receive a parking ticket or have your vehicle towed.
     Garage rates run $1.50-$5 an hour, with an average maximum of $12-$15 per day. Rates are sometimes lower on Sundays and after 6 p.m., when downtown workers head home leaving behind empty parking spaces.
     Public parking lots are marked by a green sign bearing a large "P" and are scattered throughout the city. The most convenient are Nathan Phillips Square (City Hall) garage, University garage (at University Avenue and York Street) and the St. Lawrence Market garage (on Front Street). Be mindful of No Parking signs; the city adheres to a strict tow-away policy.

Taxis & Limousines
     As in any large city, traveling by taxi can be costly. The initial or "flag drop" fare is $2.75, then 25c for each additional .19 kilometre (.12 mi.). You also can expect to pay 25c for every 31 seconds you spend waiting in traffic. Tipping about 15 percent is customary, and there is a modest extra charge if the driver loads and unloads a passenger's baggage. Major cab companies are Arrow, (416) 233-1111; Diamond, (416) 366-6868; and Metro, (416) 504-8294.
     Limousines often charge a flat rate for sightseeing excursions, more when you're just renting by the hour. The going rate depends on the size of the limo, but averages $50-$150 per hour.

Public Transportation
     Public transportation in Toronto has come a long way since the first horse-drawn conveyance appeared in 1849. The city's subway system opened in 1954 with 7.25 kilometres (4.5 mi.) of track. Now covering almost 60 kilometres (40 mi.), the system combines attractive, clean facilities with fast service. It has been estimated that Toronto's rapid rail system can move 80,000 persons per hour in and out of the downtown area.
     The north-south subway extends from Union Station on the south to as far north as Sheppard Avenue on the University-Spadina line, and to Finch on the Yonge line. On the Bloor-Danforth line, east-west cars travel from Kennedy Road on the east to Kipling Avenue on the west. The Sheppard line offers east-west travel from Yonge Street in the west to Don Mills Road in the east. Though additional lines operate during rush hours, these should not be counted upon for sightseeing excursions. Subway operation hours are Mon.-Sat. 6 a.m.-1:30 a.m. and Sun. 9 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
     Rapid Transit (RT) provides eastern connections from Kennedy Road to McCowan Station in the east end. For additional information and schedules phone the Toronto Transit Commission, (416) 393-4636; for lost and found phone (416) 393-4100.
     Complementing the subway is a network of buses, trolley buses and streetcars. Bus routes connect with all subway stations and serve the entire area. Fares are $2.75 (10 tokens or tickets $21); over 64 and local students with ID $1.85 (10 tickets $14); ages 2-12, 70c (10 tickets $4.70); day pass $8.50.
     On Sundays and holidays a single 1-day pass may be used as a family pass to cover the fares of two adults and up to four children/youths under 19 or one adult and up to five children/youths under 19. Tokens can be used on subways, buses and streetcars; tickets also can be used on all vehicles, but some automatic subway entrances accept only tokens. Tokens may be purchased at stations; tickets are available at convenience store ticket agencies throughout the city. Buses and streetcars accept only exact change, tickets or tokens, so be prepared. Transfers between subways and buses are free; always grab one--whether you need it or not--on your way down to the train or from a streetcar or bus driver.
     The provincial government operates Go Transit, a mass transit system linking Toronto to its outlying suburbs. This train and bus system covers more than 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq. mi.); fares vary according to the distance traveled. For fare and schedule information phone (416) 869-3200.